Tunesia, Egyt and now Yemen: a domino effect in the Middle East?

Opposition group suspends parliamentary participation after another person is killed in firing at funeral procession.

At least one person has been killed and several others injured after riot police in Bahrain opened fire at protesters holding a funeral service for a man killed during protests in the kingdom a day earlier.

Fadhel Ali Almatrook was hit with bird-shotgun in the capital, Manama, on Tuesday morning, Maryam Alkhawaja, head of foreign relations at the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, told Al Jazeera.

"This morning the protesters were walking from the hospital to the cemetery and they got attacked by the riot police," Alkhawaja said.

"Thousands of people are marching in the streets, demanding the removal of the regime - police fired tear gas and bird shot, using excessive force - that is why people got hurt."

At least 25 people were reported to have been treated for injuries in hospital.

An Al Jazeera correspondent in Bahrain, who cannot be named for his own safety, said that police were taking a very heavy handed approach towards the protesters.

"Police fired on the protesters this morning, but they showed very strong resistance," our correspondent said.

"It seems like the funeral procession was allowed to continue, but police are playing a cat-and-mouse game with the protesters."

Angered by the deaths, a Shia opposition group announced it was suspending its participation in the parliament.

"This is the first step. We want to see dialogue," Ibrahim Mattar, a parliamentarian belonging to the al-Wefaq group, said. "In the coming days, we are either going to resign from the council or continue."

Al-Wefaq has a strong presence inside the parliament and within the country's Shia community.

Monday's rage

Tuesday's violence comes a day after demonstrators observed a 'Day of Rage', apparently after being inspired by the recent uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia.

Shias, who are thought to be in the majority, have often alleged discrimination at the hands of the kingdom's Sunni rulers.

Thousands came out on the streets on Monday to protest, sparking clashes with riot police.

Khalid Al-Marzook, a Bahraini member of parliament, told Al Jazeera that one person had been killed and that three others were in critical condition in hospital following Monday's violence.

Bahrain's news agency said that the country's interior minister had ordered an investigation into Monday's death.

The interior ministry later issued a statement saying that "some of the people participating in the the funeral clashed with forces from a security patrol," leading to Almatrouk's death.

"An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the case," it said.

Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa has also offered his condolences to the dead man's family.

Online reaction

Amira Al Hussaini, a Bahraini blogger that monitors citizen media for Global Voices Online, told Al Jazeera that there has been a huge outpouring of anger online in Bahrain.

"What we've seen yesterday and today, is a break from the normal routine - people like me, that are not necessarily in favour of the protests that are happening in Bahrain at this time, are now speaking out," she said.

"I am trying to remain objective but I can't - people are being shot at close range."

Hussaini said that people in Bahrain were very afraid.

"We are afraid of going out in the streets and demanding our rights. Tunisia and Egypt have given people in Arab countries hope - even if you believe that something is impossible."

"I personally have no respect for the police - they lie, they manipulate the story," she said.

"This is being pitted as a sectarian issue - the Shia wanting to overthrow the regime. But it is not a Shia uprising."

She said that people from all backgrounds and religions are behind the protests.

by ETHAN BRONNER
Published: February 12, 2011

JERUSALEM — The Palestinian leadership announced Saturday that it planned to hold presidential and parliamentary elections by September, apparently a response to the revolts in Tunisia and Egypt calling for greater democracy and government accountability.

more. . .

A new Cabinet will be named within three weeks, a move intended to address growing unrest and demands for democratic reform. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad will retain his posts.

By Edmund Sanders, Los Angeles Times

February 15, 2011

Reporting from Jerusalem — In a second shakeup in three days, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said Monday that he would disband his Cabinet and form a new one within three weeks.

The announcement came as a surprise because the Palestine Liberation Organization, which created the authority, announced Saturday that it would hold long-delayed presidential and legislative elections by September, potentially replacing the government.

Palestinian officials presented the Cabinet reshuffling as a move to address growing calls for democratic reform, which elsewhere in the Arab world have led to leaders being ousted in Egypt and Tunisia.

more. . .

The important thing about Bahrain is the US military facilities there.

I was a week there once in July. It was awful. Not only hot but humid. It is surrounded with miles of very shallow sea and it's like a sauna most of the time.

Good god! ....Millions of Arabs clamouring for democracy, and not a single George Bush in sight!